Method and apparatus for sealing containers



Aug. 15, 1950 w. D. BELL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS 4Sheeis-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 27, 1946 INVENTOR. WIHICIITI D. Bell.

ATTORNEYS Aug. 15, 1950 w, p, BELL 2,518,856

' METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 27, 1946 A 4"Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. Wilhdm D. Ball,

ATTORNEYS Aug- 15,1950 w. D. BYELL 2,518,856

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 27, 1946 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. W||I|am D. Bell.

BY v M W474)- TTORNEKi Patented Aug. 15, 1950 METHOD AND APPARATUS FORSEALING ooN'rAiNERs William D. Bell, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to AnchorHocking Glass Corporation, Lancaster, Ohio, a corporation ofDelawareApplication August 27, 1946, Serial No. 693,207

17 Claims. (01. 226- 824) I My inventionrelates to method and apparatusfor sealing containers. It has to do, more particularly, with a methodand apparatus for applying closures to containers and for establishing asterile atmosphere within the head-space oi the containers. 7 1

In my'Patents Nos. 2,284,631, issued June 2,

1942, and 2,361,365, issued October 31, 1944 I disclosea method ofsealing containers in which a combustible gas is introduced into the.extended "head-space of each. container, the combustible mixture soformed is ignited, and the closure is sealed upon the container whilethe entire headspace of the container is enveloped in thehighly heatedproducts-oi the combustion. Such method has been found to be highlysatisfactory in ob-' to the sealing zone, of supporting the containersas they are being sealed, of introducing thecombustile gas into thehead-space oi the containen and of bringing about the ignition andcombus-' tion of the combustible mixture.

By the present invention the sealing process is greatlysimplified due tothe employment of a I new method of introducing the combustible ases IBy using into the head-space of the container. this new method ofintroducing the'gases, a very great. simplification of the apparatusrequired for performing the sealing process is possible for thefollowing reasons:

(1) Valves for the control of the flow of gases to the head-space can beeliminated.

(2) The combustible gases can be introduced into the head-space in sucha wa that ignition takes place automatically, eliminating the necessit-y of providing auxiliary igniting devices.

According to the present invention, I provide a machine including simplemeans fGr supporting the containers while they are withdrawing clo suresfrom the closure supply chute and while the closures are being appliedto the containers. This means is such that the containers may he fed atrandom to the machine, without the need for indexing the containers.

' The combustible gas required for the production oiv the partial vacuumin the head-space of the container. (or required for the operation ofthe machine) flows. constantly during the operation of the sealingmachine. The gas, mixed with insuli'iicientair for complete combustion,issues.

a steady stream from a suitable orifice or burner. Thus, some of the gasremains, unignited at the burner tip, but will enter into the head-spaceof the container and mix with the free oxygen therein which will supportcombustion of such gas and will be consumed in the combustion thereof,automatic ignition of the gas and air mixture in'the head-spaceresulting from the adjacent flame issuing from the burner tip.

The burner is so arranged that the gas or gaseous mixture normallyburns'freely in such a position that the heat of the combustion does notinjure the closure to be applied to the container or injure an part ofthe machine. The closure or cap to be applied to the container issupported in the lower end of a cap-feeding chute in angular position sothat as the container moves along therebeneath it engages the skirt ofthe cap and withdraws it from the chute, means being provided forleveling the cap and pressing it on the upper end of the container asthe container continues to move. When the container approaches or comesinto the sealing zone, the burner discharges the stream of gas and theenveloping jacket of flame into the space between the container and theclosure or cap that is about to be sealed upon it. When the stream ofcombustible gas, mixed with a part of the air required for completecombustion, issues from the orifice and burns in the air, the resultingflame consists of a core of unburned mixture surrounded by a jacket orenvelope of flame, the combustion being sustained by oxygen obtainedboth from the.primary air introduced into the burner with" the gas andfrom the surrounding atmosphere. Normally, this envelope of flamecompletel encloses the stream of unignited mixture as it issues from.the burner orifice. However, as soon as the flame jet encounters theclosure or cap, to be applied to the container, and the container, theintegrity of the flame envelope is broken by the resulting turbulenceand by impingement of the jet upon the relatively cold surfaces of thecap andcorrtainer, and unburned gas mixture from the inner core of thejet spills out into the head-space. This action is timed to take placeas the closure is applied to the container, and sterilization of theclosure and head-space of the container thereby results and a partialvacuum is thereby formed just as with the processes and machinesdescribed in my previous patents.

The particular apparatus, which is described hereinafter and which I maprovide for performing my method, includes a movable burner.

This burner is normally so disposed that the jet of flame is directedaway from the closure which is to be applied to the container. Thus,even though the burner supplies a constantly burning jet, the burner isso disposed that the jet will not injure the closure. However, I providemeans so that when the container approaches or comes into the sealingzone, the burner is moved into a position where the stream of gases andthe enveloping jacket of flame is directed into the space between thecontainer and the closure that is about to be sealed upon the container.As mentioned above, the integrity of the flame envelope is broken byimpingement of the jet upon the closure and, moreover, the integrity ofthe envelope is disturbed by the lag of the outer portion of the flame,relative to the burner tip, as the burner swings into association withthe closure. This results in the spilling of a greater amount ofunburned gas mixture into the head-space of the container. The movableburner is provided with a tip which reduces the velocity of a smallportion of the issuing stream of combustible gas to a point which willinsure that a flame will burn continuously on the tip. a A stationarypilot burner is also provided, adjacent the burner, so that in the eventthe main flame is extinguished for any reason it will be re-establishedimmediately.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated one form of apparatuswhich may be employed in performing my method. In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the sealing machine.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine.

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevational View of the sealing head andassociated mechanism.

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the sealing head and associatedmechanism illustrating the two positions of the burner.

Figure 5 is a detailed view, mainly in vertical section, illustratinghow the container moves into position to engage the cap to be appliedthereto and showing the burner in its normal position with the flame jetdirected away from the cap.

Figure 5a is a diagrammatic view illustrating the condition of the flamejet when the burner I is in the position shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing the burner in theposition to which it moves as the container withdraws the cap from thechute, the flame jet being directed beneath the cap.

Figure 6a is a view similar to Figure 5a, but showing the condition ofthe flame jet when the burner is in the position indicated in Figure 6.

Figure 7 is a View similar to Figure 6, but shows the cap being pressedinto sealing relationship with the upper end of the container.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 88of Figure 4. through the burner mounting and fuel supplying structure.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9of Figure 4 through the pilot burner.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially alongline m m through the burner occupies when a container is in sealingposition.

- the top plate 6.

Figure 13 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the sealing headand associated parts.

With reference to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, Ihave illustrated one form of my apparatus as comprising generally asupporting table I, a conveyor unit 2, a container gripping and guidingunit 3, and a sealing head unit 4. The conveyor 2 will feed thecontainers continuously into association with the unit 3 which will gripthem and guide them into association with the unit 4. At the unit 4, acap will be guided into association with the upper end of the container,a flame jet will be directed beneath the cap creating a combustiblemixture in the head-space which will be ignited and the cap will beguided into sealing position on the container as combustion occurs. Therapid drop in pressure in the head-space of the container resulting fromcontraction, upon cooling of the gases remaining in the head-space, willaid in drawing the cap down into sealing relationship to the container.In some cases, depending upon the type of cap used, no further actionwill be required to seal the cap on the container. However, in othercases it may be desirable to subject the cap to mechanical sealingpressure to permanently seat the cap on the container.

The table I has the four legs 5 which support a top' plate 6 (Figure 1)and a lower shelf 7. The conveyer Z is of any suitable type of endlessconveyer and is recessed within the upper surface of the top plate 6. Itis driven continuously by a suitable variable speed drive which is notshown. The conveyer will feed the containers continuously to the unit 3which will grip them and guide them to the sealing head 4. The conveyer2 has a guide rail 8 associated therewith at the entrance side of theunit 3 and a guide rail 8a at the exit side of the unit 3.

The unit 3 is disposed at a level spaced vertically above the conveyer 2depending upon the height of the container being sealed. It is disposedintermediate the length of the conveyer and table. Containers placed atrandom on the loading end of the conveyer will be moved progressively,by the continuously moving conveyer, into association with unit 3. Nocontainer indexing mechanism is necessary.

The unit 3 comprises a continuously rotating gripping roller 9 and agripping segment It), as

shown best in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 13. The roller 9 is supported by avertical shaft II disposed at one side of the conveyer and extending upfrom The roller is horizontally disposed and extends over the conveyer 2in vertically spaced relationship. The roller 9 comprises awheel I2which is keyed on shaft II and upon which a pneumatic tire I3 ismounted.

The segment I0 is disposed directly opposite the roller 9. It comprisesa channel I4 which has its vertically spaced flanges I5 directedinwardly towards roller 9. The edges of flanges I5 are curved andreceive the resilient strips I5, which are suitably secured thereto, andwhich may have serrated outer surfaces. These strips may be formed ofrubber or other suitable material. The channel I 4 is supported by topplate 6 at one side of the conveyer. It is provided with depending legsI! (Figure 1) which rest on the upper surface of plate 6 and which arebolted to the plate by the bolts I'Ia. The vertically spaced containercontacting strips I6 will be at such levels as to properly grip thecontainers.

The edges of flanges I5 are so curved that the strips I6 extend relativeto the periphery of the epiae'sc 5 the 1 8 in the manner indicated inFigure 12'. At the'entrance end of unit 3, the strips 16 extend over theconveyer a substantial distance and are not concentric with roller ll."Thus, there is a receiving throat at the entrance end of the unit *3which is wider than the diameter of thecontainer. The mid-sections ofstrips it are; however, concentric with roller 9 so that the greatestgripping action on the container will take place while the container isadjacent these sections. Atthe exit end of unit 3, the strips 16 extendan a flatter curve and only slightly over the conveyer and in divergingrelationship to the roller "Thus, as each container is moved intoassociati'on with unit 3, it will first contact roller 9 which will berotating continuously in a counter- V clockwise direction. The containerwill be moved into the entrance throat of unit 3 and will be moved intocontactwith the strips U3. The container will be rolled along suchstrips and will be gripped gradually and progressively more firmlybetween roller 9 and strips 5 6. There 'wfll'be ho tendency for thecontainer to be thrown back from the entrance throat of the unit. roller*9 will be driven continuously in such a manner that the container willtravel in the same direction and at the same linear speed or greaterlinear speed than the conveyor 2. As the container is movedon strips itbeyond the mid- --sectlons thereof, it will be released gradually due'to 'the diverging relationship of roller 9 and strips is driven bypulley Ill. Pulley I9 is driven 'by a'belt 20 which is driven by apulley 2E keyed "on the drive shaft of an electric motor 22. The "motor22 is carried by the shelf oi thetable.

Thesealing head unit is also supported by thechannel M. This unit isshown best in Figutes [to 4, and 13. It includes a downwardly andforwardly inclined cap chute 23 which comprises a pair of spaced guiderails 2 which are in the form of angle members. The'rails 2 4 aresupported by a bracket '25 which includes a horiuontal shelf 26 that isremovably attached by bolts 2! (Figures 1 and 3') to an upstandingsupport 28 carried on the upper surface of member M. The shelf 25projects laterally from niember'zs a sumcient distance to properlypositlcn the cap chute-over the path of movement of the containers.Furthermore, the shelf will be disposed at a proper height-to locate thelower end of the cap feed the proper level depending upon the height ofthe containers being sealed.

'The rails 24 will support the caps'ZS which are disposed inedge-to-edge relationship.

The caps which Iuse'fer sealing the containers may be of various typesalthough, in this,

instance, I have illustrated side seal caps, as shown best in Figures 5to '7. These side seal caps are commonly used for sealingiglass jars ofthe type shown in the drawings and indicated by the numeral it. Thisglass jar is provided a with a reduced mouth having a sealing shoulder31 with which the gasket 32 of the cap-cooperates. The gasket isdisposed within .a socket doomed in an'enlarged "annular head 33' on theflower edge oftheskirt of the cap.

-- For preventing the lowermost cap from dropp-ing from the cap chute,the vertical flanges of rails 24 are provided at the lower ends of therails with inwardly projecting cars 34, as shown bestin Figures 2, 4 and.13. These ears engage the bead 33 on opposite sides of the cap. Thus,thel'owermost cap is normally in inclined position at the bottom of thecap chute so that its skirt will be engaged by the leading edge of thecontainer mouth to which it is to be applied in ordertthat the cap willbe withdrawn from the chute.

At the lower end of the cap chute, means is also provided for levelingthe cap and pressing it on the mouth of the container, as it isWithdrawn from the chute by a container moving past the lower end of thechute. This means comprises a leveling tongue 35 (Figures 5 and 6) whichis attached to shelf 25 midway between rails 24 and is inclineddownwardly and forwardly in substantially the same plane as thehorizontal flanges of the rails 24. The lower extremity of tongue 35 isspaced a short distance above-the lower ends of rails 24. Above theforward edge of shelf 26, a block 36 is secured to the rails 2-4. Thisblock carries a cap depressing unit which includes a leaf spring 3? thatextends downwardly to the lower ends of rails 2%. This spring 31 carriesa, beveled cap contacting member 38 at its lower end which normallyengages the upper corner of the leading edge of the lowermost cap in thechute.

Normal-ly the cap will be supported, as in Figure 5, with its leadingedge engaging member 38 and cars 34. Its trailing edge will be supportedby tongue .35. When the leadingedge of the moving container engages theskirt of the cap at its leading edge, the cap will be withdrawn from thecap chute as the container moves. In the initial movement of the cap,the head 33 willbe lifted above the ears 34 and they will, subsequently,not contact the edge of the cap. At the same time, the member 38 islifted against the force of spring 37! and the cap slides down thetongue 35. The member 38 will continue to ride over the surface of thecap as it is withdrawn, as shown in Figure 6, and will press the caponto the container. The cap will gradually slide down the tongue .35.The cap will be gradually leveled .by this action, as shown in Figures 6and 7, until it is pressed down completely on the mouth of thecontainer, I In order to sterilize the cap and container as the cap isbeing withdrawn from the chute and in order to create the desiredpartial vacuum within the container, I provide the movable burner 39.The burner 39 is in the form of an elbow carried by a burner pivot 0which is disposed adjacent the entrance end of unit 3 and is carried bythe member it. The burner projects horizontally and is normally in thefull-line position indicated in Figure 4. It is disposed at a 7 lowerlevel than shelf 2$and below the lower extremity of the cap chute sothat it will not interfere with such members in either of its.positions. v

I The burner comprises a main tube which has a tip d! disposed withinits outer end, as shown in 751 passage 42 with con'siderablevelocityand, will form the central cone of the flame jet which will consist ofunburned mixture. The gas mixture which enters through openings 44 withconsiderable velocity will expand in passage 43 and its velocity will bedecreased so that it will flow slowly through slot 45 thereby ensuringthat a flame will burn continuously on the burner tip, as shown inFigures a and 6a.

As shown in Figure 8, the burner 39 has its inner end mounted on andcommunicating with a hollow block-like member 46. The member 46 isthreaded on the upper end of a sleeve 4! which has an integral nut 48 onits lower edge. The nut 48 cooperates with a shoulder 49 on member 46 toclamp in position a ball bearing 50. This ball bearing is disposedwithin a ring 50a which is supported on and bolted to flange E5 ofmember I4. A fuel line 52 is threaded upwardly into flange I5 andcommunicates with the sleeve 41. Thus, the burner 39 can be swung aboutthe axes of member 46 and sleeve 41 While the connection between line 52and burner 39 is still maintained.

A branch passage 53 leads from the line 52 through flange I5. This.passage has a small fuel line 54 connected thereto. This line 54 leadsto and carries a pilot burner 55 which is shown in Figure 9. The burner55 is in the form an inverted cup having a small air inlet opening 55 inits top. The pilot burner is directly adjacent the tip of burner 39 whenit is in its normal position, as shown in Figure 4. Thus, if the flameof the main burner is extinguished for any reason it will berc-established immediatel by the pilot burner.

The fuel line 52, as shown in Figure 1, is connected to a blower andmixer unit 51 which is carried by the shelf 1. The unit 5'! comprises anelectric motor 58 which drives a fan 59 that is shown best in Figure 11.The fan includes a cylindrical casing 60 which has a reduced extension6| on its upper side that forms a mixing chamber. This extension 6| hasan air inlet 62, the size of which may be varied by an adjustable plate63. The fan 59 rotates in a clockwise direction and comprises aplurality of blades curved as indicated. A gas line 64 is connected tothe caeing extension 5| but it will be noted that line 52 is connectedto the main part of the casing 60. Thus, when the fan rotates, it drawsgas from line 54 and air through inlet 62 into the extension 6!, wherethe gas and air mingle, and then down into the main part of casing 60from which it is forced through line 52. The line 54 is provided with aneedle valve 55 for regulating the amount of gas entering the casing.Thus, by regulating needle valve 65 and/or air inlet 62, the proportionof gas to air of the mixture entering line 52 may be regulated. I

In order to swing the burner over beneath the cap chute to the positionindicated by dotted lines in Figure 4 where the tip will be just behindthe lowermost cap, as the container to be sealed approaches sealingposition, I provide the lever arrangement shown best in Figures 2, 4, 12and 13. A lever 66 has one end pivoted to the upper surface of member l4adjacent the exit end of unit 3 by a pivot 67. This lever extends alongmember 14 beneath the shelf to the pivot unit of burner 39, Member 46 isprovided with a laterally extending lug 68 which is connected by pivotedlink 68a (Figure 4) to the end of lever 66 A compression spring 69carried by the upstanding support 28 presses on the outer edge of lever56 intermediate its ends and normally tends to swing it inwardly andthereby keep the burner 39 in its normal position. Intermediate the endsof lever 65 a container engaging finger i0 is fastened thereto, and isof such size that it normally projects into the path of movement of thecontainers carried through unit 3. This finger I0 is so located alongthe lever that the'container will engage it as the mouth of thecontainer is about to engage the lowermost cap to withdraw it from thechute. Thus, as the cap is withdrawn, the burner is swung over so thatthe jet of flame will project beneath the cap and into the headspace ofthe container.

Normally, the burner 39 will be in the position indicated by the fulllines in Figure 4. The gas or gaseous mixture being discharged from theburner tip will flow constantly, and as shown in Figure 5a, the burnerwill produce a jet J of flame. The burner is supplied with a combustiblemixture by the unit 51 which includes insufficient air for completecombustion of the gas. Consequently, the jet J will consist of a cone Cof unburned gas surrounded by a jacket or envelope E of flame, thecombustion of the envelope of flame being sustained by oxygen obtainedboth from the primary air introduced into the burner with the gas andfrom the surrounding atmosphere. This envelope of flame normallycompletely encloses the stream of gas mixture as it issues from theburner tip, as shown in Figure 5a. The burner is so disposed at thistime that the jet of flame is directed away from the lowermost cap inthe cap chute and from the sealing head 4 and associated parts of themachine. Thus, even though the burner supplies a constantly burning jet,no injury to the cap or machine will result therefrom.

When the container to be sealed reaches the gripping unit 3, it isgripped firmly and moved into position to engage the lowermost cap inthe chute. The unit 3 exerts the maximum gripping action on thecontainer as it withdraws the cap from the chute. As the containerengages the cap, as shown in Figure 6, it also engages finger 10 whichcauses the burner 39 to swing over into such position that the jet J offlame is directed beneath the cap. As soon as the flame jet J encountersthe cap and container, the integrity of the flame envelope E is brokenby the resulting turbulence, as shown in Figure 6a, and by impingementof the jet upon the relative cold surfaces of the cap and container.Consequently, unburned gas mixture from the inner cone C of the jetspills out into the head-space of the container and mixes with the freeoxygen therein to produce a completely combustible mix, such oxygensupporting combustion of such gases and being consumed in the combustionthereof. Automatic ignition of the gas and air mixture in the head-spaceresults from the normally burning portion of the jet. This takes place,as shown in Figure 6, as the cap is being withdrawn and leveled bycontinued movement of the container relative to the cap chute.Combustion of the charge not only expands and displaces the air in thehead-space, but also consumes the oxygen therein. As combustionsubsides, and expansion is substantially complete, the cap will dropinto the level position indicated in Figure 7 and will be pressed downon the container by member 38. A suificient vacuum will be created bythis action, due to subsequent contraction of the gases in thehead-space, and will aid in drawing the cap down into final sealingposition. The container head-space and cap will be sterilized by 9. the:intense heat. developed during the combustion, of the mixture of air andgas beneath. the. cap and in the head-space.

As the; continuously moving container passes. out of contact .withfinger HI, the burner 39- will he returned to its normal position, Whenthe jet moves out. of sealing position, it will again he in thecondition illustrated in Figure. a with the inner cone of unburnedmixture C completely enclosed by the envelope-E of. flame.

It will be apparent that I have provided a. simple, efifective andeconomical method for continuouslyvacuumizing. and, sealingv containers,By using my new method of introducing the comustible gases into.-thehead-space of the container,

at very great simplification or the apparatusv for performing theprocess results. No valves tor the control of the flow of gases into theheadspace of the container are required. urthermore, the gases areintroduced into the headspace in such a Waythat ignition takes placeautomatically and no. special ignition apparatus is required. Thecontainer guiding and gripping unit is very efiective and no indexing,mechanism isrequired for the containers'so that they can be fed atrandom to, the machine.

Various other advantages will be apparent.

Having thus described my invention, whatv I claim is:

1. A method of closing and, sealing a container which comprisesproviding a. jet of flame and supplying said jet. of flame withinsufficient air for. complete combustion so that it is in, the form ofan envelope of burning gases having a core of unburned gases, directingsaid jet of flame into the head-space. of the container so as to breakthe'integrity of the. flame envelope in order that the gas mixture. fromthe inner core of the jet spills out into the head-space where itmingles. with the air within the head-space to form. a combustiblemixture, immediately igniting such resultant combustible mixture by t eremaining part of the flame envelope to rapidly burn such mixture, andsealing the closure on the container while combustion of such mixture inthe headspace subsides.

f2. The method of closing andv sealin a. containerwhich comprisesproviding a, closure'memher in spaced relationship to the container,providing. a jet of flame and supplying said jet of namewithinsufficient air for complete combustion sothat it isv in the formof an envelope of burning gases having a core of unburned gases,directing said jet of flame beneath the closure member and into thehead-space of the container so as. to break the integrity of the flameenvelope by having it contact the closure member and the container inorder that the gas mixture from the inner core of the jet spills outinto the head space where it mingles with the air within the head spaceto form a combustible mixture, immediately igniting such resultantcombustible mixture by the remaining part of theflame envelope torapidly burn such mixture, and sealing the closas. to. break theintegrity of the flame envelope.

n order tha he unburned. as. mix ure. from the. inner core of thejetspills out into the head-space and .mingles with the air therein toform. a com-.- ble mixture, immediately nd automatically igniting suchresultant combustible mixture the. remainder of the envelope of flamethereby causing he ases beneath the cap. and the head-space. of thecontainer to expand, and Sub.- seq n ly to. con ract, and seating hecap. on the container, as combustion subsides and while the, urned g sare. expanded, in ealing p sition relative. thereto.

4. The. method of continuously sealing cap on containers which comprisesmoving the containers c ntinuously, providing a. j t of flame and.supplying said jet of flame with insufficient air for completecombustion so that it is in the form of an envelope of burning gaseshaving a core of unburned gases, guiding a cap into position over eachsuccessive container during its continuous moyement and while guidingthe cap into such position directing said jet of flame beneath the capand into. contact with the can so as to break. the integrity of theflame envelope in order that the unburned gas mixture from the innercore of the jet spills out into the head-space and mingles with the airtherein to form a combus,-' tible mixture, immediately and automaticallyigniting such resultant combustible mixture by the remainder of theenvelope of, flame, thereby causing the gases beneath the cap and in thehead-space of the container to expand and sub-- sequently to. contract,seating the cap on the container, as combustion subsides and While theburned gases are expanded, during continuous, movement of the container.

5. Apparatus for closing and sealing a container comprising a burner fordirecting a flame into the head-space of the container, means forconstantly supplying said burner with a gas and air mixture to provide aconstantly burning flame, said means functioning to supply only part ofthe air needed. for combustion of the as s p-.-

plied thereby So as to produce a flame in the form of an envelope ofburning gas and, acore of unburned gas in order that when the integrityof the flame, envelope is broken upon entering into the container thegas, mixture from the inher core of the jet will spill out into the'headspace where it mingles with the air within the head-space to form acompletely combustible mixture which is immediately ignited by the re-.maining part of, the flame envelope, and means for sealing the closureon the container as combustion of; such mixture in the head-spacesubsides.

6. Apparatus for closing and sealin a cone tainer comprising means forsupporting a closure member in spaced relationship to the upper end ofthe container, aburner for directing a flame beneath the closure memberand into th head space of the container, means for constantly supplyingsaid burner with a gas. and air mixture to provide a constantly burningflame, said means functioning to supply only part of the air needed forcombustion of the gas supplied. thereby so as to produ a name in the frm of a e l p of burning gas and a. core of unburned gas in order that.when the integrity of the flame. envelope is broken upon. encounteringthe closure member nasamixture whichis immediately ignited the re-.

maining part of the flame envelope, and means for moving the closuremember and the container relatively to seal the closure member oncomprising an inclined cap chute for feeding caps successively intoposition to be engaged by the upper ends of containers movedsuccessively into association therewith, means for so moving thecontainers, a burner associated with the cap chute and having aconstantly burning flame which is directed beneath each successive capinto the head space of each successive container as the cap is withdrawnfrom the chute, and a mixer and blower unit for supplying air and gas tothe burner, the air and gas being supplied in such amounts that there isinsufficient air for complete combustion of the gas.

8. Apparatus for closing and sealing containers comprising an inclinedcap chute for feeding caps successively into position to be engaged bythe upper ends of containers moved successively into associationtherewith, means for so moving the containers, and a burner associatedwith the cap chute and having a constantly burning flame which isdirected beneath each successive cap into the head space of eachsuccessive container as the cap is withdrawn from the chute, said burnercomprising a central core for high velocity gas mixture and asurrounding passage for low Velocity gas mixture.

9. Apparatus for closing and sealing containers comprising an inclinedcap chute for feeding caps successively into position to be engaged bythe upper ends of containers moved successively into associationtherewith, means for so movin the containers, and a burner associatedwith the cap chute and having a constantly burning flame which isdirected beneath each successive cap into the head space of eachsuccessive container as the cap is withdrawn from the chute, said burnerbeing pivoted for swinging movement and normally occupying a positionwhere'it is directed away from the cap chute, and means for moving theburner each time a container is moved into engagement with the lowermostcap in the chute so that the flame will be directed beneath said cap andinto the head space of said container.

10. Apparatus for closing and sealing containers comprising an inclinedcap chute for feeding caps successively into position to be engaged bythe upper ends of containers moved successively into associationtherewith, means for guiding the containers into association with thecap chute and for gripping them as they withdraw caps from the chute,said guiding and grip ping means comprising a driven roller adapted toengage one side of each container and an arcuate member adapted toengage the opposite 'side of the container, and a burner associated withthe cap chute and having a, constantly burning flame which is directedbeneath each successive cap into the head space of each successivecontainer as the cap is withdrawn from the chute.

11. Apparatus for closing and sealing containers comprising an inclinedcap chute for feeding caps successively into position to be engaged bythe upper ends of containers moved successively into associationtherewith, means for guiding the containers into association with thecap chute and for gripping them as they withdraw caps'from the chute,said container guiding and gripping means comprising a, driven rolleradapted to engage one side of each container and an arcuate memberadapted to engage the opposite side of the container, said arcuatemember including portions concentric and portions eccentric with theaxis of said roller, and a burner associated with the cap chute andhaving a constantly burning flame which is directed beneath eachsuccessive, cap into the head space of each successive container as thecap is withdrawn from the chute.

12. Apparatus for closing and sealing containers comprising an inclinedcap chute for feeding caps successively into position to be en-' gagedbythe upper ends of containers moved successivelyinto associationtherewith, means for guiding the containers into association with thecap chute and for gripping them as they withdraw caps from the chute,said guiding and grip-" ping means comprising adriven roller adapted toengage one side of each container and an arcuate member adapted toengage the opposite side of the container, said roller comprising awheel supporting a pneumatic tire and said arcuate member carrying astrip of compressible material which engages the side of the container.

13. Apparatus for closing and sealing containers comprising an inclinedcap chute for feeding caps successively into position to be engaged bythe upper ends of containers moved successively into associationtherewith, means for guidingthe containers into association with the capchute and for gripping them as they withdraw caps from the chute, meansfor leveling the cap and pressing it on the container as it is withdrawnfrom the cap chute, a burner associated with the cap chute and having aconstantly burning flame, said burner being pivotally mounted andnormally being directed away from the cap chute, and means for swingingthe burner as the containe' is moved into position to engage the cap inthe chute so that the flame will be directed beneath said cap and forreturnin it to its normal position as the capped container is moved awayfrom the cap chute.

I 14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the container guiding andgripping means comprises a positively driven roller and an arcuatemember which grip opposite sides of the containers, and wherein saidburner moving means is associated with said guiding and gripping meansand includes a finger which normally projects into the path of movementof said containers.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 including a stationary pilot burnersupported adjacent the pivotally mounted burner.

16. Apparatus for applying caps to containers comprising a cap feedingunit for supporting a cap in position to be'engaged by a container movedinto association therewith, means for moving a container intoassociation with said unit and for gripping the container as it engagesthe cap, said means comprising a driven roller adapted to engage oneside of the container, said roller including a pneumatic tire forengaging the container, and an arcuate member adapted to engage theopposite side of the container and along which the container is rolledby the roller, saidarcuate member carrying a strip of serrated rubberadapted to contact with the container, said arcuate member having endsections eccentric to the axis of said roller and an intermediatesection concentric to the axis of said roller 13 whereby the containerwill be gradually gripped and then gradually relased.

17. Apparatus for applying caps to containers comprising a cap-feedingunit for supporting a cap in position to be engaged by a container movedinto association therewith, said unit including a chute formed of spacedangle members which are inwardly directed and which are downwardlyinclined so that they support the caps in edge-to-edge relationship,means for preventing the lowermost cap from dropping from the chute,said means comprising inwardly directed lugs carried by said anglemembers, means for guiding the cap into level position on the containerand for pressing it thereon as the cap is with- N drawn from the capchute, said means compris- Ring a tongue disposed in substantially thesame planeras the inwardly directed flange of the angle membersiiorengaging the lower sides of the caps, and a leahspring disposed betweenthe angle members and inclined to the same extent for engaging'the topsides of the caps, said leaf spring carrying a beveled cap-engagingsurface on its lower end, said tongue terminating above the comprising adriven roller carrying a pneumatic tire for engaging one side of thecontainer and an arcuate member on the opposite side of the lower end ofsaid spring, and means for gripping 25 the container as it engages thecap, said means container, said member having end sections eccentricrelative to the axis of the roller and an intermediate sectionconcentric with the aXis of the roller, said member carrying a serratedrubber strip for engaging the container.

WILLIAM D. BELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,801,062 White et a1 Apr. 14,1931 1,986,595 Fischer Jan. 1, 1935 2,284,631 Bell June 2, 19422,361,365 Bell Oct. 31, 1944 2,433,549 Enkur et al Dec. 30, 1947 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 576,415 Germany Apr. 13, 1932

